YEAR 2023 BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Elections were conducted at our Annual Member Meeting on November 19, 2023. Great appreciation for the Board who served for years 2021 to 2023for their achievements and successes. Here is your newly elected 2023 Board, serving a two-year term through 2025:

President – Ed Castruita Vice President – Juan Reynoso 2nd Vice President – Oscar Bermudez Treasurer – Jill Nieves Secretary – Debra Castruita Sergeant at Arms – Steve Ramirez Member at Large – Laura Hernandez

Left to Right: Juan Reynoso, Jill Nieves, Laura Hernandez, Steve Ramirez, Debra Castruita, Ed Castruita and Oscar Bermudez,.

(Bios below will be updated soon)

President – Ed Castruita

1st VICE PRESIDENT – Juan Reynoso

reynoso2-150x150

Juan Reynoso was born and raised in Santa Barbara, California. He was the first in his family to attend college, earning a B.A. at the University of California Santa Barbara. While attending UCSB he worked as a traffic cadet at the Santa Barbara Police Department and was hired as a police officer in 1985. In 1988 Juan moved to Ventura and lateraled to the Ventura Police Department where he worked several assignments; DARE Officer, Field Training Officer, Detectives, Bike Patrol, Communications Supervisor, Professional Standards, and SWAT. Juan continued his education at the University of La Verne earning a Master’s Degree in Business and Organizational Management. Juan promoted through the ranks and on December 12, 2012 at 12:12 pm, Juan retired from the Ventura Police Department as a Commander. A few days later he started his second career at the Ventura County District Attorney’s office as an investigator. Juan has been on the NLPOA Ventura County Chapter Board for the past 8 years. Juan and his wife, Teresa, live in Camarillo and have two children.

2nd VICE PRESIDENT – Oscar Bermudez

oscar-150x150 Oscar Bermudez began his law enforcement career with the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office in 1977 as Reserve Deputy. In 1978 he was hired as a Deputy Sheriff by the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office. Oscar had the distinction of serving as the first Patrol Deputy for the newly contracted City of Moorpark Police Department in July 1984. Oscar was a Field Training Officer and had assignments in the Special Enforcement Detail and in Investigations. In 1988 he was promoted to Senior Deputy and was assigned supervisory duties at the main jail. In 1989 Oscar was transferred to the Special Investigations Unit and was assigned as a narcotics investigator until 1995. In 1995 Oscar was transferred to property crimes investigations. In 1997 Oscar retired from the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office. From 2003 through 2008, Oscar worked for the Ventura Police Department as a court officer. Since 1998 Oscar has worked as a polygraph examiner. Oscar is certified to conduct polygraph exams on individuals that have been convicted of sex related crimes. Oscar also conducts pre-employment polygraph examinations for law enforcement agencies in Ventura County. Oscar and his wife, Mary, have six children and seven grandchildren.

TREASURER – Jill Nieves

SECRETARY – Debra Castruita

SERGEANT AT ARMS – Steven Ramirez II

MEMBER AT LARGE – Laura Hernandez

Laura D. Hernandez is a current City Councilmember for the City of Port Hueneme. She retired from the Ventura County Sheriff‘s Office of Emergency Services (VCOES) in December 2012 where she served 16 years as the as the County’s OES Manager reporting to the Sheriff. Over the course of her career, Ms. Hernandez has responded to more than 20 major disasters serving as a member of the EOC Management Team. She also helped launch the Statewide Emergency Management Mutual Aid Assistance (EMMA) Program and served as President for the California Emergency Services Association from 1999 – 2002. During this time, Ms. Hernandez formed many key partnerships with multiple local, state, and Federal agencies, volunteer organizations, special districts, local non-profits, businesses, schools, the military and elected officials. Following her retirement, Ms. Hernandez focused on her consulting business and focused on training and writing emergency plans for local businesses and government agencies. She also served as an Adjunct Professor for Cal State University Channel Islands and Cal State University Northridge where she taught Management and Human Resources. Laura also helps manage a family real estate business. Born in St. Paul, Minnesota and raised in Santa Paula, Laura’s family moved to Pasadena, Ca in the early 70s. Laura Hernandez has been a resident of Port Hueneme for over 25 years. She earned her bachelor’s degree from UCSB and a Master of Science Degree in Public Administration from CSULA.